"Toronto 2015 would like to congratulate Rio de Janeiro on its 2016 Olympic Summer Games bid victory," said Hon. David Peterson, Chair, Toronto 2015. "Rio de Janeiro will present athletes and the world with an unforgettable experience in 2016. Competing cities Chicago, Madrid, and Tokyo also brought forward excellent bids and should be very proud of their efforts."

The 2016 Summer Olympic Games announcement comes about one month before the 2015 Pan / Parapan Games host city decision is made at the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) General Assembly in Guadalajara, Mexico, November 4-6, 2009.

The Pan Am Games is a major international multi-sport event, held every four years for athletes of the 42 PASO member nations and serves as an Olympic-qualifier for a number of participating sports. The next Pan Am Games will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico in October 2011.